**A Few Minutes Earlier**
Captain Drek had gathered enough soldiers and hurried to inform Saz.
"Your Majesty, I’ve assembled the soldiers as you requested," Captain Drek reported with a steady tone.
Saz nodded, eyes sharp. "Send as many as possible to the border. Have them wait for Jade. If there’s any sign of hostility, open fire immediately."
"Your wish is my command," Drek said crisply, turning on his heel and leaving.
Saz muttered under his breath, a sly smile curling his lips. *I hope you like the present, Jade.*
---
At the border, Jade stood before his three companions, eyes narrowing as they took in the scene ahead.
“Well, it seems we’re in for a surprise,” Jade said quietly.
Hundreds of soldiers lined the perimeter, their MK-19 grenade launchers trained steadily on them. The tension was palpable.
From the edge of the forest, Captain Drek emerged, his steps deliberate.
"I'm flattered," he began, eyes flicking over Jade. "You seem calmer than I expected. Did Rhen tell you what happened?"
Jade’s gaze sharpened. "I'm also flattered that a retired captain is leading the army."
Drek shrugged, the faintest edge of bitterness in his voice. "What can I say? The king fired Peter, so I had to step in."
"So, let me guess. You agreed to exile my family too," Jade said seriously.
Drek’s face hardened. "It was a punishment for disobeying the king."
Jade's voice rose with anger. "No one in the village has the power to exile a member of my family."
Drek smirked darkly. "In your dreams. You’d better wake up soon." Turning to leave, he added over his shoulder, "Leave, if you want peace."
A low chuckle escaped Jade. "You really think those toys will work on the last Grogg?" he said, smirking widely. "Why don’t you test them on us first?"
In a flash, Jade surged forward. With astonishing speed, he grabbed Drek by the neck and hurled him into the soldiers.
Immediately, the soldiers opened fire.
Rhen and Racle unleashed a torrent of fire into the forest. The trees ignited, flames blossoming quickly, forcing the soldiers to retreat under the assault.
Selina charged through the battlefield, tearing weapons from hands and shattering them with fierce blows.
Jade strode toward Captain Drek, who was struggling to stand from where he’d landed.
He hauled the captain upright, using him as a shield, and together they marched away from the border, disappearing toward the palace.
Behind them, the border descended into chaos. Gunshots echoed in sporadic bursts; firelight painted the village in an eerie glow.
---
After a long, tense walk, Jade arrived at the palace, still clutching Captain Drek as a shield.
Standing before the palace gates, Saz—flanked by four soldiers wielding MK-19s—waited with a sneer.
"I guess the army wasn’t enough to hold you off," Saz said, voice dripping with disdain.
"You should know better than that, Saz," Jade replied coolly, stepping forward.
Saz’s eyes flashed. "That’s enough. One more step, and you’ll regret it."
Jade sighed heavily. "Come on, Saz. This crazy ammunition won’t work on this Grogg. We need to think smarter."
Saz shot back bitterly, "Like you’re one to talk. Refusing to try what we asked and running off to Visgard when we needed you most."
Jade’s eyes darkened. "I wouldn’t have guessed, but you’ve truly gone off track. I’m going to have to take back my position."
"Blah, blah. Did you say something?" Saz mocked, grinning.
Jade’s voice turned cold. "In other words, I’m going to dethrone you."
Saz laughed loud and hard. "You? Dethrone me? I’d like to see you try."
"Fire," he ordered the soldiers.
Jade darted forward in a zigzag, weaving through a hail of bullets until he reached Saz.
With a fist as hard as steel, he struck Saz in the belly, taking him hostage.
“Drop your weapons and leave. Now.” Jade’s voice brooked no argument.
The soldiers complied, stepping back and retreating silently.
“You’re only making things worse for yourself,” Saz groaned, clutching his stomach as Jade dragged him toward the palace.
Jade’s stare was unwavering. “If you truly believe you’re king, then free yourself.”
Saz blinked in confusion. “What do you mean?”
“Do you remember when the war with the Groggs worsened? Your father had to join the fight.”
Saz’s expression clouded. “What are you implying?”
“You don’t know because during the war you were locked away with the citizens in the tomb—the same way you imprisoned Yeln and Guriel later.” Jade sank into the throne. “The king is the strongest in the village, apart from a guardian, followed by the queen, then their first son.”
“Keep spitting nonsense. Your time will run out soon,” Saz sneered.
“You were never told because you weren’t the first son. You were the second. To keep the peace at home, I—your elder brother—had to forsake the throne,” Jade revealed.
“Elder brother? In your dreams.”
“Believe it or not, Selina, Racle, and Rhen will be here any moment now. Racle, my first son, is the rightful heir to this throne.” Jade’s voice rang with quiet certainty.
At that moment, the door swung open. Billy stepped inside, eyes fixed on Saz as he approached the throne.
“What you’re saying — is it true?” Billy asked, wary but direct.
“If it’s not,” Jade replied, tilting his head, “how else could the three villages have demanded their king to lead the war fifteen years ago? We couldn’t tell you or Peter the truth — you were only five and six, and Saz was still locked away.”
Billy hesitated. “Who else knows about this?”
“Your sister might. She married Mark. You could ask her,” Jade suggested.
“You really think this fool’s telling the truth?” Saz groaned, struggling to stand.
“Not until I confirm it,” Billy said firmly. As he turned to leave, the doors opened again.
“No need for that. It’s true,” Mark declared, entering with Cindy, Peter, Rhen, Selina, and Racle.
“Mark!” Billy exclaimed. “You all knew…but none of you told me?”
“Not me. They only told me this morning,” Peter added.
“Don’t look at me like that,” Cindy said, avoiding Billy’s gaze. “I just found out too.”
“This is… unimaginable. So what do we do now?” Billy asked, urgency creeping into his voice. “And why does Saz look like that?”
“You could say he’s getting what he deserves for letting power go to his head,” Jade said darkly. “Worst of all, he banished my family, ignoring all I’ve done for this village. The course is clear — everyone back to your positions. We face the last Grogg, and this one is no ordinary foe.”
“Meaning?” Billy pressed.
“I was defeated in less than a minute.” Jade’s voice was grim.
“A minute?!” exclaimed several voices at once.
“Second,” Jade continued, “he controls all beings across the entire universe.”
“Are you kidding? Earth is doomed!” Cindy gasped.
“If he has that many soldiers, why fight? It seems a lost battle,” Mark wondered aloud.
Everyone fell silent, waiting expectantly for Jade’s plan.
“As of now, he’s weak and still recuperating. With that small space shuttle, he can only transport a fraction of the Skimals. Best strategy is to dominate worlds one by one.” Jade considered this carefully. “But that means we’ll still have to face him. We’ll divide our forces into three groups: one to destroy the machine, one to hold off the Skimals, and one to confront the Grogg.”
“Sounds like one hell of a crazy plan,” Mark commented uneasily.
“But won’t it take a toll on you?” Rhen asked worriedly.
“Of course. I could even die. It depends on how long it takes to defeat the Grogg. The sooner, the better.” Jade stood from the throne, determination etched on his face.
Hardening his hands, he lifted Saz to his feet.
“I’ll make the announcement tomorrow. If anyone doubts, Saz here will challenge my son Racle to a duel,” Jade said, releasing the fallen king. “Until then… let’s enjoy what little peace remains.”
......
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